Podcast appearances and mentions of russ ewell

Have you ever felt like fear, stress, or anxiety were running your life, even when everything looks fine on the outside?In this episode, Russ Ewell sits down with Ray Kim and Stone Eleazer for a powerful conversation about what it really means to connect with God in a personal, powerful, and purposeful way. Together, they unpack how fear, stress, and anxiety often go unspoken in our spiritual lives—and how these emotions can keep us stuck in surface-level faith.Whether you've been walking with God for years or are just beginning your journey, this episode will inspire you to stop hiding, start healing, and find lasting peace in a relationship with God that meets you exactly where you are.

In this special Q&A podcast episode about our newsletter The Chemistry Lab, we tackle some of the most honest and heartfelt questions about faith, suffering, and spiritual growth. From dealing with pain to figuring out what to read in the Bible, this episode is a refreshing reminder that your relationship with God can be personal, powerful, and practical.This isn't about having it all together. It's about growing, exploring, and discovering how to walk with God in a way that's real.✨ Subscribe to The Chemistry Lab newsletter at DeepSpirituality.com/subscribe and join a community of spiritual explorers learning how each of us can develop a spirit of discovery.

What happens when the world starts saying everyone gets to have their own truth? In this honest and thought-provoking episode, Russ Ewell invites you into a new kind of spiritual journey—one built on curiosity, discovery, and a deeper search for what's real.Inspired by his childhood love of science, Russ introduces The Chemistry Lab, a new newsletter and conversation space designed to help you explore God in practical, personal ways. Through scripture, storytelling, and a bit of soul-searching, this episode unpacks how we've gotten lost in a world of misinformation—and how we can find our way back to something solid.You'll learn:Why spiritual truth matters more than ever in a post-truth worldHow to build a faith that engages your heart, mind, soul, and strengthWhat it means to let go of control and rediscover who God really isHead over to https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ to join us on this journey. Show Notes:1 John 5:4 NIVProverbs 25:2 MSGMark 12:30 NIV"What If It's True?" Article → https://deepspirituality.com/what-if-its-true/Chapters:00:00 - The spiritual effect of misinformation02:00 - An antidote to misinformation02:54 - The Chemistry Lab is open!03:43 - A journey of spiritual discovery06:47 - A kitchen table and science set08:50 - People need a space to discover God

Disability Ministry Series 'Autism and the Church' with Pastor Russ Ewell Welcome back to the Podcast.  Today we have Russ Ewell, lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and father of two children with special needs as our guest.  As a father and an advocate in the special needs community he understands the need for creating inclusive environments for our children.  As a Pastor, he and his wife have launched a free, step-by-step guide to help leaders begin or grow this ministry at their church.  He knows that many Pastors are interested in serving the special needs community, but lack the resources to make this a reality and is meeting the need with this resource. In addition, Russ has create E-Sports and E-Life which are inclusive community programs enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their peers. As we approaching Autism awareness month, Russ brings a fresh perspective of what is possible for individuals special needs and the greater community.  Let's listen in as we join Russ. BIO Russ Ewell is Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church. A minister for more than 40 years, Russ's teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition, and infused with vision for building the transformative church for which the 21st century public hungers.   Contacts: BACC Website: bacc.cc The Spiritual Resource Ministry will shortly release a manual to assist leaders in establishing ministries for individuals with special needs: http://bacc.cc/srm E-Sports.org https://e-sports.org/ E-life.org https://e-life.org/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the.bacc/ https://www.facebook.com/the.bacc     For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won't miss an episode. We'd love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website. Email us: info@hopeonthehardroad.org Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459 Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz  

While 99% of pastors and 97% of churchgoers say people with special needs are welcome in their churches, only 29% of churches have actual programs to support them. Why the disconnect? In this episode, we sit down with Russ Ewell, pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and founder of Digital Scribbler, to uncover the barriers that keep churches from truly including people with disabilities, and how to break them down. Russ and his wife have developed the Spiritual Resource Ministry Manual, a FREE step-by-step guide to help churches create an accessible and thriving ministry for those with special needs. Join us for an eye-opening conversation about what it means to be a welcoming church and how your ministry can go beyond good intentions to make a real impact. ... Please tune in to a previous Unconventional Ministry episode with SAT-7 USA staff member Ray Heinen, the Senior Director of Ministry Partnership, to explore his inspiring journey of faith and service. Listen to Theology, Technology, and SAT-7 with Ray.

Steve Teel had a great time getting to know author, minister, innovator Russ Ewell as they talk about his book:  "He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself." Russ is a passionate communicator, authentic, genuine, and thoughtful about his faith in Jesus Christ.  Visit the Website! https://verybold.com/ Be inspired every Saturday by difference-makers on Very Bold Radio & Podcast!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russ Ewell's first son was born while he and his wife Gail lived in the Washington, DC area. The doctor said to him “Congratulations! You have a son.” Next the doctor said, “He has down syndrome…”. In time, they moved to Silicon Valley. Russ and his wife, Gail's, journey as parents of two children with special needs led them to start: Spiritual Resource Ministry at Bay Area Christian Church, which offers individuals with special needs and their families the ability to thrive spiritually alongside their neurotypical peers in every area of the church, which they may not otherwise be able to do. E-Sports and E-Life are free, inclusive community programs across the Bay Area enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their neurotypical peers. Hope Technology School is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian K-12 school, started by Russ and Gail. HTS serves neurotypical kids and kids with special needs from all backgrounds and operates independently of BACC. HTS is regularly recognized as one of the best private schools in the Bay Area. Digital Scribbler, a company Russ founded which develops assistive tech tools for individuals with disabilities. They also have developed a Special Needs Ministry Manual that you can download at the Bay Area Christian Church website for free. (https://bacc.cc/small-groups/srm/manual/) Listen as we unpack Russ's Ministry, family life journey, and the tools to help you develop another great ministry in your area! Contact with Russ at: https://russewell.com/ _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book “Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook” here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House

Our culture is changing whether you're ready or not. The next generation of leaders will be different from us and it's our job to figure out how to relate to them and equip them to follow Jesus in their own ways. In this episode, Chestly Lunday interviews Russ Ewell on how he's living this out in his local church and how he sees the generational shifts continuing into the future.Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:https://russewell.com/Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cppNewBreed TrainingMissionbyBusiness.comThanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We're here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

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A few weeks ago, we published our latest Featured Devotional by our editor in chief, Russ Ewell, entitled “The Blueprint for Living Spiritually: A five-step journey to a soul connection with God, through the footsteps of Jesus.” We are excited to let you know that you can now listen to the Blueprint in its entirety on our website so you can listen as you read along.  We are introducing a new show format, called Deep Reads, in which we will narrate Featured Devotionals and release them as episodes on our podcast feed regularly. To give you the best possible listening experience, we had this voiced by a great narrator rather than autogenerated text-to-speech. We will also be releasing smaller episodes for each section to allow you to more easily listen to the part you are looking to study.  We hope Deep Reads helps you get the most out of The Blueprint for Living Spiritually and many of our future devotionals! If you have any other ideas or requests, don't hesitate to reply to this email, or drop us a line at podcast@deepspirituality.com. 00:00 Introduction 10:12 Soul on Fire 17:22 Soul Care 27:00 Soul Connection 32:59 Soul Purpose 42:38 Soul Power 51:32 Conclusion

Revelation Media's Steve Cleary talks about the start of series of animated videos that Bible visually called iBible.  The first set of videos around Genesis will release on Easter.  Pastor Russ Ewell, author of "He's Not Who You Think He Is," talks about how mistaken beliefs about God affect you, your mental health, and your relationships, and how a proper view of God brings helps you flourish in all these areas. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

A new report from Pew Research just came out suggesting that the number of “religious nones”, those with no religious affiliation, might be leveling off. That said, almost 30% of Americans today identify themselves this way and many churches are struggling to reach them. This weekend on Missions Today, Collin speaks with a pastor in the San Fransisco area whose church is trying some new things to try to reach these people with the Gospel. Reaching the Nones…this weekend on Missions Today! For more information on our guest this week and his work, please check out the links below: Russ Ewell Bay Area Christian Church #bayareachristianchurch #russewell #digitalscribbler #nones #faith #agnostic #disabilities #church #mission #missions

Carmen LaBerge spends time answer some listener questions about angels, what are they, and what do they do? Pastor Russ Ewell of Bay Area Christian Church in Silicon Valley, CA talks about why we don't need to be alarmed or fearful by the rise of the nones.  He shows how we can develop better relations with them, and in the process reach them for Jesus. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

I had a wonderful discussion with author Russ Ewell about how we can discover God for ourselves, based on his book 'He's Not Who You Think He Is'. We speak about how to build relationship with God as well as how to form a deeper connection with Him. We also discuss his love of music, basketball and his favourite TV show Downton Abbey. Listen now. Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery Sponsor an episode of this podcast Click for Advertising info Visit Russ Ewell's website russewell.com Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Why do we need to discover God for ourselves? 04:56 What's the difference between God and religion? 07:31 Nones and Nuns 08:01 How can emotions be a barrier to discovering God? 13:43 How can we rebuild emotional lives in a positive way? 17:03 How can we discover God for ourselves? 21:14 Interactive book 24:42 Ad Break 25:53 Russ Ewell's favourite things 30:01 Downton Abbey 31:55 Upcoming Projects 34:47 Where to find Russ Ewell online

For this episode, Tim Villegas speaks with Russ Ewell, Founder of E-Soccer and Digital Scribbler, CEO of Hope Technology Group, host of the Lead Different Podcast, and father of children with disabilities. We discuss the characteristics of being an inclusive leader. And later in the interview he turns the tables on Tim and asks him some questions about why inclusion is important to him. Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/J_6dkIWVIt5ePGi6q1nJYzMzucs PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_84396f23e05e49c89ac53966dd749315.pdf Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Russ-Ewell Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Russ Ewell; text reads: Russ Ewell | Inclusive Leadership; S10E7; MCIE logo in the bottom right Credits Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE. Original music by Miles Kredich. Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

So here we are, at the end of Jonah's journey. And what a journey it's been! Jonah has tried to run away from God, been swept up in a storm, almost died, spent several days inside a fish, got spit out by that fish, then finally decided to do what God wanted by going to preach to the enemies of his people. Those people put a stop to their evil ways, and God saved them from destruction. But Jonah is upset because he didn't get what he wanted.[2] So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. [3] Just kill me now, LORD! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen." [4] The LORD replied, "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"- Jonah 4:2-4 NLTLike Jonah, God wants to help each of us shift our focus from ourselves and what makes us comfortable, to others and what they need. Join Jonah as we conclude his story, and can learn how to travel on our own unexpected journeys God has for each of us.Based on the sermon series by Russ Ewell "Jonah: The Roadmap to Happiness" Writing by Alexis ColvinNarration and editing by Amy QueryProduction by Mike Query

Have you ever made a really bad mistake? One of those mistakes that you just dread having to deal with? People are going to be mad at you, there might be some consequences, and you just want to crawl into a hole or move across the country. But you don't. You own up to what you've done and put one foot in front of the other and start moving forward.When we pick up the story of Jonah in Jonah chapter 3, our hero is just coming off of one of those mistakes. He's finally owned that he ran away from God and from the spiritual needs of a whole city, caused a lot of pain for a whole ship full of people, finally had a change of heart after being in a fish for a few days, and got spit out onto a beach. Then, God gives him a second chance."Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: 'Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.'"- Jonah 3:1-2 NLTDeja vu anyone? Though it's taken a while to get him here, travel with Jonah as is finally on his way to speak to the very people he's spent this whole series avoiding.Based on the sermon series by Russ Ewell "Jonah: The Roadmap to Happiness" Writing by Alexis ColvinNarration and editing by Amy QueryProduction by Mike Query

In our second episode of Jonah's Unexpected Journey, we find our protagonist stuck in a fishy situation. What does Jonah do after being stuck in the belly of a fish for 3 days? He prays:Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish. [2] He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me! [6] I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!- Jonah 2:1-2,6 NLTSomething changes in Jonah's relationship with God inside the belly of that fish. He goes from avoiding God to being grateful to God. Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a dark and completely unfamiliar place? And there's no way out, nowhere to go but deal with yourself? It's in these “belly of the fish” moments that we can discover what truly matters, and see that God's purpose is bigger than ourselves. Join us as we continue Jonah's story and learn to find God's purpose in some of our most difficult moments.Based on the sermon series by Russ Ewell "Jonah: The Roadmap to Happiness" Writing by Alexis ColvinNarration and editing by Amy QueryProduction by Mike Query

In this first episode of Jonah's Unexpected Journey, we meet our protagonist:The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”- Jonah 1:1-2 NLTGod called Jonah to do what he normally did - Jonah's job was to talk to people about what God had to say. But this time, rather than talking to his fellow Israelites, God told Jonah to speak to the city of Nineveh, the most important city in Assyria and the home of the enemies of Jonah's people. Have you ever felt the call to do something you really don't want to do? It stays in the back of your mind, and all you want to do is avoid it and run away? Jonah can relate.This is the first episode of our new type of podcast called "Paint Me a Picture." Each series will immerse you into the stories of the Bible, bringing them to life with storytelling, commentary, and lots of sound effects. As you listen, you can slow down and put yourself in the shoes of the people in the Bible and bring their experiences into your own walk with God. We've found that immersing ourselves in these stories makes the spiritual lessons stick better too.Join us as we begin to unfold this story of rebellion, reflection, and redemption.Based on the sermon series by Russ Ewell "Jonah: The Roadmap to Happiness" Writing by Alexis ColvinNarration and editing by Amy QueryProduction by Mike Query

This is a reupload of a previous podcast. We are releasing it because in a world where relationships are strained by the Pandemic this one is perfectly timed and at tune with what we need, relationships. Visit DeepSpirituality.com to sign up for our newsletter if you want devotionals, podcast and more delivered straight to your inbox. - - - While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul was coming to kill him. [16] But Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and strengthened his faith in God. [17] Jonathan told him, “Don’t be afraid, because my father won’t touch you. You will be king of Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” [18] The two of them made an agreement before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.1 Samuel 23:15-18 NCVOur conversations are what change us. When we can understand the art of having a conversation we can then address one another's faith and deal with the fear inside that keeps us from growing. Russ Ewell sits down with Ray Kim and Nathan Schaffernoth to talk about the 5 steps to having spiritual conversations. Listening is having the curiosity to learn from every conversation. Set aside the Time, put in the time to have a relationship that has great conversations is important. Once you've heard, you want to Reflect, to know what you don't know and think deeply about what was said. Then you can ask Questions, but you want to Understand yourself enough to know what questions to ask. Finally, Respond to share your lifeand continue deepening your conversations. Episode References:FDR's Fireside Chats"Pistol" Pete Maravich

In this podcast episode, Jesus McDonald interviews Russ Ewell, who is the CEO of Digital Scribbler, a computer software company, whose “built in the garage” origin story typifies Silicon Valley. This garage is more mentality than a place. It is a mindset which says, “If we can dream it, we can build it.” The heart of their dream is leveraging the power of technology to help people overcome their human limits. In addition to Digital Scribbler, Russ Ewell is the Founder of E-Soccer and Hope Technology Group. Russ talks about what motivated him to start these companies, how he finds time to do it all, why he focused on the innovation and technology industry, challenges he had to overcome as an entrepreneur, advice for our listeners, and more. Questions covered: 1. You are the Founder of Digital Scribbler, E-Sports, And Hope Technology Group. What motivated you to start these companies? 2. How do you find time to create and work on these companies with all the responsibilities that you have and with two kids with special needs? How do you do it all? 3. Why did you focus specifically on innovation and technology? Why not any other avenues? 4. What challenges did you have to overcome as an entrepreneur? 5. Do you have any advice for our listeners that may want to start a business or take their leadership position to the next level? 6. Lastly, for those that are interested in learning more about your businesses, how can they get in contact with you or your team? You can also watch the video version of this episode on Jesus McDonald's YouTube channel. For business inquiries contact info@jrmwebmarketing.com

About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; [13] for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil Hebrews 5:11-14 NRSV When we feel stuck, especially in our relationship with God, it can be easy to get frustrated, discouraged, and tempted to give up. When we're in this spot, our quiet times can become ritualistic, rote, and rules-focused, and we can’t enjoy them or grow from them. The way to get unstuck and grow in our relationship with God is to first identify what got us stuck in the first place. This happens in our quiet times. Russ Ewell sits down with friends to talk about how to have a quiet time, get unstuck, and rekindle our passion for God.

Inclusion in the classroom has become a topic of discussion in recent years. Though all students deserve to be included, those with disabilities often get overlooked or cast aside. Many theories and ideas have surfaced in regards to this, but successful execution of inclusive education is seen few and far between. One school that has effectively integrated the inclusive model into each of its classrooms is the Hope Technology School. As a K-12 school - including a Vocational Education program and a developing high school called “Learning Curve” - HTS is the embodiment of implementing inclusive education. Russ Ewell sits down with students and educators from HTS to get their thoughts on what inclusion means to them, along with practical ways to execute inclusion using technology in the classroom.Episode ReferencesGraduate rates of students with disabilitiesIDEATeachthought on TTSAvaz FreeSpeechProloque4TextQuickTalkMore Assistive Technology ProductsGrowth Mindset - Carol DweckQuizlet

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.Proverbs 24:10 NLT Though most of us have dreams, many of us stop fighting to fulfill them because we don’t feel like we can handle the pressure that comes with them. Without God giving us the strength to keep pushing through, we will become discouraged and fail under pressure. The above scripture is actually a positive message, because it is one that should drive us to ask the question, “How does my relationship with God need to change so I can handle pressure?” Russ Ewell sits down with Scott and Nick to talk about what we do with the pressure we feel, and how God is the only way to help us not give up in the midst of pressure. Sign up for our newsletter for quiet times, info, articles, and more! If you have topic ideas, movies, music, documentaries, articles, or books for the show email us at podcast@deepspirituality.netCheck out more articles and podcasts at deepspirituality.net.

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul was coming to kill him. [16] But Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and strengthened his faith in God. [17] Jonathan told him, “Don’t be afraid, because my father won’t touch you. You will be king of Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” [18] The two of them made an agreement before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.1 Samuel 23:15-18 NCVOur conversations are what change us. When we can understand the art of having a conversation we can then address one another's faith and deal with the fear inside that keeps us from growing. Russ Ewell sits down with Ray Kim and Nathan Schaffernoth to talk about the 5 steps to having spiritual conversations. Listening is having the curiosity to learn from every conversation. Set aside the Time, put in the time to have a relationship that has great conversations is important. Once you've heard, you want to Reflect, to know what you don't know and think deeply about what was said. Then you can ask Questions, but you want to Understand yourself enough to know what questions to ask. Finally, Respond to share your life and continue deepening your conversations. Episode References:FDR's Fireside Chats"Pistol" Pete Maravich

“Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.”Robert Kennedy Much like artists, leaders are visionary. They see things that no one else sees, and break the mold of what is considered normal. Not bound by the shackles of conformity, leaders are original in their thinking and in what they produce, whether it is art, technology, athletics, etc. Silicon Valley is unique for many reasons, and arguably the most compelling reason is that it is full of original and innovative leaders. Russ Ewell sits down with Tom Schaffernoth, the CEO of Nearchus Inc, and Greg Bodzioch, the co-founder of E-Sports, to discuss the necessity to have passion in leadership.Episode referencesNozomi Morgan - “The Art of Passionate Leadership”Tiger WoodsJack NicholasLothar MatthäusGianluigi BuffonPistol PeteMichael JordanMagic JohnsonLarry BirdJFKRobert KennedyLarry PageMartin Luther King Jr.E-SportsFoot-eye coordinationNearchus IncBob DylanSteve JobsMarc ChagallGary P Pisano - Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation

Russ Ewell sits down with Greg Bodzioch and Ray Kim to discuss the background and growth of E-Sports. What began as an effort to have kids with both typical and special needs play soccer together on a small Foster City field, has now expanded nationally and internationally, and grown into multiple programs, including E-Soccer, E-Hoops, E-Karate, and more, partnering with schools like USF and St. Mary’s. Advocacy and inclusion for people with special needs is crucial, but, as USF’s slogan indicate, we can “change the world from here.”Episode ReferencesE-SportsDigital ScribblerChange The World From Here

Hello all, my name is Russ Ewell, and this is The Digital Scribbler Podcast. In this episode, I will introduce myself and provide a little background for both myself and what this podcast will cover during season one, I will also discuss reasons for doing this podcast and what I wish will come of it.As a father of two sons with disabilities, I have both a deep and personal connection to disability advocacy. It has been vital to me not just to advocate to create a better and more inclusive world for my sons, but to do what I can to create that world myself. I have used my own specific skill set--particularly my interest in technology--to create a platform to discuss and contend with accessibility, inclusion, and assistive devices. At times I will also invite special guests to the podcast to provide a varying perspective, a conversation, or a new side to something that I don’t have personal experience with.Read more...

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 KJV When any organization, especially a church, lacks vision for the future, the group is going to go into decline. But how do you know if your church is going into decline? Before any church goes financially bankrupt it will first go spiritually, socially, and emotionally bankrupt. Russ Ewell and friends discuss seven signs that a church may be going into decline: when entertainment replaces inspiration, compromise replaces conviction, rules replace relationships, behavior replaces heart, insularity replaces innovation, attachment to the past replaces vision for the future, and managers replace leaders. Sign up for our newsletter for quiet times, info, articles, and more! If you have topic ideas, movies, music, documentaries, articles, or books for the show email us at podcast@deepspirituality.netEpisode References:Crystal CathedralHome Improvement

"My ego demands— for myself— the success of my team."BILL RUSSELL Everyone should be involved in team sports. Someway, somehow everyone should grow up in or around sports culture because it teaches you so many valuable lessons. How to work with others, leading a small group of individuals towards a common goal, working hard to achieve something and social skills can all be learned playing sports. Not everyone will grow up to become a professional athlete, or even a collegiate athlete, but everyone can be a part of sports to develop qualities that can't be learned elsewhere. Russ Ewell sits down Caleb Coleman, a former Cal Berkeley football team Division-1 student-athlete at the Haas School of Business, and Matthew McHugh, a Senior at Northwestern University working as a Broadcaster for WNUR Sports, to talk about sports culture and leadership. Our society has become focused on winning and lose and not on developing the character of those involved. Drawing from their own personal experience of playing and observing sports cultures, teamwork, coaching, they share what they have learned about leadership and how to lead different.

How do you connect with God? We're all unique in the ways that we make connections with people and the world around us. There are entire curriculums dedicated to helping people better understand their personality types and how they can more effectively engage with coworkers, friends or family. In the same way that we need guidance and creativity in connecting with each other, we believe that we should put just as much if not more effort into finding better ways to personally connect with God. A quiet time is a term many people (including us at Deep Spirituality) use to describe a time we block out every day to read our Bibles and pray. And as is the case with most religious activities, our quiet times can over time devolve into a ritual - something we know we should get done every day. If you're trying hard to be a "Good Christian", you likely can relate to feeling a level of guilt at some point about your quiet times: I didn't spend enough time praying, I was half asleep while trying to read my Bible, and so on. In this series, Russ Ewell and friends discuss their different approaches in how they spend time with God, and give practical advice on how to make your quiet times deeper, more personal and more intimate. In part one, they explain what it means to create a sacred space, which is a special state of mind you can achieve where you are free from distraction and able to devote your entire mind and heart to God.

The 5 Levels of Inclusion is an inclusion philosophy developed by Russ Ewell years ago to help guide people on how true inclusion is a holistic approach. Russ sits down with his friend Greg Bodzioch and San Jose State University student Jackson Schaefer, who is studying Inclusive Physical Activity in Communities for his Kinesiology degree and has been a coach in the inclusive soccer program E-Soccer for the past 5 years.Their discussion is sparked by the recent articles of Chris Kaposy and Ruth Marcus. There is a level of dehumanization of individuals with special needs that is neglected in society. This dehumanization can be solved if inclusion is embraced by each person. Often our view of those with special needs results in just sympathy but inclusion is not just the sympathy of those who have special needs but empathy matched with action, because inclusion is not just showing up or bringing a group of individuals with special needs on an outing, but engaging them on all the levels of humanity. They also touch on why Silicon Valley and the Bay Area could be a catalyst location for Comprehensive Inclusion in societies around the world. The 5 Levels of Inclusion: Community – This is social inclusion which can be physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual. Connection – This is emotional inclusion, which results in meaningful relationships between typical and special needs individuals. Contribution – This is intellectual inclusion, where the individual with special needs develops a sense of dignity, as they use their ability to make a personal or group contribution to the community. Contemplation – This is spiritual inclusion where the individual is able to pursue some form of meaning and purpose. Comprehensive – Comprehensive inclusion occurs when the individual has experienced 1-4, and benefits from the latest scientific and medical research, as they grow into adulthood and an ever improving quality of life.

Coming home is basically coming home to God. Russ Ewell, Cameron Straw, Parker Allen, and David Traver finish their discussion of what is means to them to walk with God and surrender their anxiety. For anyone to walk with God you have to go beyond a quiet time, or a morning devotional with God and make an emotional connection with God. That is what it truly means to walk side by side with God through life. Sometimes that is the hardest thing for us to do, to wake up in the morning and not be consumed with the worries of the day, the stress of family or work, the stimulation from the news or our newsfeeds that can throw off our mornings and put us out of step with God. We can't manage our day when we wake up every morning anxious. As we all learn how to walk with God then we will know how to be still with Him, because stillness is the absence of anxiety, and in our stillness we will begin to see God's power and that he is greater than whatever we might worry about or fret. The ability to be still and be home, with God is something we all are working towards and hope to find ourselves. Check out the blog

For many people, growing up around church or religion can be something of a double edge sword, to borrow a phrase from the Biblical lexicon. On one hand, assuming you had a good experience, you were likely instilled with strong values, a sense of responsibility for your family and community, and hopefully, a positive view of God and a feeling that he exists. On the other hand, it can be really hard to tell if all the good Christian stuff you're doing is actually what you believe and want, or merely what you've learned to embody over your years sitting in the pews. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 NIV In this episode, Russ Ewell and guests David Traver, Cameron Straw and Parker Allen continue the discussion started last week (check out Coming Home, Part One if you haven't already). They discuss the subtle differences between action that is motivated by religious duty, and deeds that are driven by an unique and intimate relationship with God. As Galatians 5:22-25 describes, there are qualities that begin to exude from us when we are in step with God and the Holy Spirit, and they are not manufactured; the closer you get to God, the more loving a person you become.

What does it really mean to have a relationship with God? Many people who seek God are faced with the challenge of making a personal connection with him that is unique, and separate from the traditions they learned growing up. A person who is used to making conversation by making small talk or jokes may have a hard time feeling like they are actually engaging in a conversation with God if it is mostly comprised of ritualistic behavior. Coming Home is a new series of episodes for our Deep Spirituality podcast that explores what it means to make God your home. Home is where you go when you're tired, lonely, looking for security, or just don't know where else to go. Coming home to God means letting go of the expectations we place on ourselves that may come from family or religious institutions, and allowing our genuine interest and desire for spiritual connection to drive our behavior instead. Russ Ewell sits down with Cameron Straw, David Traver, and Parker Allen to talk about our context and how that shapes how we view God and how we approach our relationship with God. In the end we hope to walk with God as we go through life, uninhibited and free to build a deep connection with God to transforms who we are from the inside out.

Has Christianity slipped in the public conscious because of God being less attractive? Or is it because we as people have made church about us and less about God? This is the Decline of Christianity. When the public stops having scripture and God at the center of our individual hearts and collective churches. Cameron Straw, Russ Ewell and Ray Kim sit down to expand upon the topics discussed in The Rise of the 21st Century Spiritual Theologian found on DeepSpirituality.net. What does the future hold for Christianity? No one knows exactly, but it will require everyone to examine their view of God and reignite our spiritual curiosity for God to know him more deeply.

Russ Ewell sits down with Dave Banks and Todd Singleton to discuss if it is worth the time and effort to build and train leaders, allowing them the opportunity to fail and learn through their mistakes. Mark Zuckerberg, according to Kara Swisher’s opinion piece in the New York Times, has cost many people their privacy while he learns “on the job” how to lead in a digital space that has never been explored before. Is our unwillingness to be patient as leaders grow through the process placing us in a leadership crisis? Finally, learn about the mentorship to build leaders with the “competence, character and connection” to bring about a change in the world. With 32 years of experience as a CEO, Interim CEO or Chairman of a variety of startups, Dave Banks has spent the past 20 years working with early stage company CEO's as an adviser or board member to assist in the growth and development of tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Todd Singleton is currently the Head of Field Engineering for Saffron AI at Intel in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he and his team are working to develop and deliver AI-driven solutions with memory-based machine learning. With twenty years of entrepreneurial leadership experience Todd is adept in a wide range of back and front office functions and a builder of high-performance teams in technology-driven markets. Be sure to check out the books referenced in today’s episode: The Last Lion, a three volume book series on the life and leadership of Winston Churchill by William Manchester and My American Journey by Colin Powell

"The real us remains hidden when things are easy, but surfaces when we are faced with the impossible."The hard times we go through often feel impossible to handle, but it is our faith that helps us endure. The work we need to do is not to be able to handle everything on our own, but rather to trust God and let go of the desire for control in our lives. Russ Ewell, Nick Straw, and Ray Kim sit down to discuss how the key to turning our emotion into action is trusting God and allowing God to know us more deeply and intimately through the hard things in life, which produces transformative change in us through the process. Genesis 22:1 NIV [1] Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Genesis 22:2 NIV [2] Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love---Isaac---and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." Genesis 22:3-5 NIV [3] Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. [4] On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. [5] He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you. ”

What can you learn from past Presidents on how to lead good? Russ Ewell and Nathan Schaffernoth sit down to discuss the 2017 Presidential Historians Survey conducted by C-SPAN, which polled 91 historians on presidential leadership, including economic management, international relations, crisis leadership, public persuasion skills and whether they pursued equal justice for all. Join in as they talk about why it is important for every leader to have vision for what you are leading and being able to keep a level head in a crisis. Plus, a bonus point from Russ! 10. Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) 9. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) 8. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) 7. Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) 6. Harry Truman (1945-1953) 5. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) 4. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909) 3. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) 2. George Washington (1789-1797) 1. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

Digital Scribbler has launched its pilot episode discussing the benefits and necessity of creating an inclusive environment for everyone. The founders of the internationally known inclusive program, E-Soccer, Russ Ewell and Greg Bodzioch, discuss how they went about beginning the program.With the “e” standing for “exceptional,” E-Soccer was meant to bridge the gap between children with special needs and their neurotypical peers. Since its start in 2001, the program has exponentially grown, expanding from a single soccer field in the Bay Area to programs across the country and world. Today, kids can participate in not only E-Soccer, but a variety of E-Sports as well, ranging from E-Hoops to E-Dance.As Russ and Greg discuss in the podcast, this program is so much more than something to do on a Saturday morning. It provides friends and companions for kids with special needs throughout the rest of their lives, and imparts a perspective and heart to neurotypical children that they will carry with them forever. To find out more about the program, go to e-sports.org to learn how to get involved.Take a listen as they share their story on the first episode of "Digital Scribbler"

Today I will be speaking with Russ Ewell; the CEO of Digital Scribbler, Founder of Hope Technology Group which started Hope Technology School (a nationally recognized full-inclusion school and Founder of E-Soccer, an all-volunteer inclusive soccer program. Russ and I discuss the beginnings E-Soccer and how for all intents and purposes it happened by accident. We also talk about how sports programs can become more inclusive when everyone has the right attitude and gets training on how to be proactive instead of reactive. Russ even makes me blush near the end of the interview so make sure to listen to the entire podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/think-inclusive/support